How to Pin Curl

By Kimberly Johnson

•••Evan Agostini/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Wavy locks are the envy of many students, but most simply don’t have the time required to achieve the look. If you want a wavy, tousled look for day or evening, try using the retro pin curl technique. Pin curling was commonplace in the '50s and '60s but the ease of creating the style is causing it to return. Pin curls work on either dry or damp hair. You can create pin curls at night and wake up with an abundance of waves.

Step 1

Comb out your hair thoroughly so there are no tangles.

Step 2

Move the comb from the front of your forehead to the rear of your head to create a part down the center of your hair.

Step 3

Grasp a 2-inch-wide section of hair near the front left side of your head. Comb it thoroughly then set the comb aside. For tighter curls, use a 1/2- to 1-inch wide section of hair.

Step 4

Grasp the bottom of the hair strand and begin wrapping it around two of your fingers until you reach your scalp. Keep the hair loop perfectly circular as you wrap.

Step 5

Hold the looped hair together so that it stands up from your scalp, much as it would if on a roller. Secure it to your scalp using a bobby pin. If you plan to sleep in the curls overnight, lay the curl flat against your head before securing it with two bobby pins overlapping each other in an "X" form over the pin curl. The pin curls will have slightly different appearances.

Step 6

Repeat the process on the remainder of your head to create additional pin curls using 2-inch sections of hair.

Step 7

Spray the curls lightly with hair spray.

Step 8

Heat your hair using a hair dryer and low heat to set the curls if you rolled it dry. If your hair is wet, allow it to dry naturally overnight.

Wavy locks are the envy of many students, but most simply don’t have the time required to achieve the look. If you want a wavy, tousled look for day or evening, try using the retro pin curl technique. Pin curling was commonplace in the '50s and '60s but the ease of creating the style is causing it to return. Pin curls work on either dry or damp hair. You can create pin curls at night and wake up with an abundance of waves.

Step 1

Locate a curl near the front left of your head and grasp the bobby pin holding it to your scalp. Pull the pin out gently with one hand while holding the curl still with the other.

Step 2

Repeat the process to remove all remaining bobby pins from the curls.

Step 3

Run your fingers through your hair gently to separate the curls until you achieve the desired hair style.

Step 4

Spray your hair with another light spray of hair spray.

Things You Will Need

Comb

Booby pins

Hairspray

Scarf or shower cap

Tips

For tighter curls, dampen your hair with water before creating the pin curls instead of working with dry hair.

If you are sleeping in the pin curls, wrap a scarf around your head or wear a shower cap.

Warning

Do not brush or comb your hair after creating the pin curls. This destroys the curl and creates a frizzy appearance.

References

About the Author

Kimberly Johnson is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in various online publications including eHow, Suite101 and Examiner. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and began writing professionally in 2001.